Blowdown Function

Boiler blowdown removes concentrated dissolved solids maintaining water chemistry and preventing scale formation. Blowdown water at boiler pressure and temperature requires safe handling before disposal. Blowdown drums provide flash chamber separating steam from liquid, cooling section reducing temperature to 40-60°C, and surge capacity handling intermittent discharge pulses.

Vessel Design

Horizontal or vertical configuration with blowdown inlet at high-pressure section. Flash chamber allows pressure reduction to atmospheric vaporizing portion of water. Steam separates and exits overhead for heat recovery or venting. Cooled liquid drains to sewer or treatment. ERGIL sizes drums based on blowdown rate, inlet conditions, and required cooling capacity.

Flash Steam Recovery

Flash steam at 5-15 psig contains significant energy suitable for deaerator heating, feedwater preheating, or process applications. Heat recovery reduces overall plant fuel consumption improving boiler efficiency. Recovered steam offsets 10-20% of blowdown heat losses making recovery economically attractive.

Design Conditions

Inlet section rated for boiler operating pressure typically 150-2400 psig. Outlet section atmospheric or low pressure. Temperature ratings accommodate inlet water to 200°C with outlet cooling to 60°C. Materials handle thermal shock from intermittent blowdown cycles.

Material Selection

Carbon steel construction suitable for boiler water chemistry. Stainless steel internals resist corrosion from concentrated dissolved solids. Proper drainage prevents sediment accumulation. Design per ASME Section VIII with materials meeting power boiler codes.

Applications

Power plant boiler blowdown systems recovering flash steam, industrial steam boiler installations, package boiler blowdown handling, marine boiler systems, and any steam generation requiring safe water discharge. Serves facilities with boiler capacities from 10,000-500,000 lb/hr steam production.

Cooling Methods

Flash cooling through pressure reduction provides primary temperature drop. Supplemental cooling using heat exchanger or dilution water achieves final temperature meeting discharge limits. Automatic level control manages water inventory preventing overflow.

Control Features

Level switches manage inlet and outlet flows. Temperature monitoring verifies adequate cooling before discharge. Pressure control on flash steam outlet maintains optimal recovery conditions. Integration with boiler controls automates blowdown sequencing.

Performance Benefits

Safe handling of high-temperature high-pressure boiler blowdown. Flash steam recovery improves plant thermal efficiency. Reduces wastewater treatment cooling requirements. Simple reliable operation with minimal maintenance. Proven technology in power generation and industrial steam systems.

Construction Standards

Design per ASME Section VIII with appropriate code stamps. Relief valve protection against overpressure. Materials suitable for boiler water service. Complete documentation with heat balance calculations and flash steam recovery analysis.

ERGIL blowdown drums deliver safe boiler blowdown handling with flash steam recovery improving thermal efficiency in steam generation facilities.